University Relations units work creatively and collaboratively with each other and partners on campus and in the community to uplift, to engage, to communicate, and to amplify and celebrate USask successes to support our aspirations to be The University the World Needs.
The Director of Advancement Communications leads the development, implementation and evaluation of the university’s overarching advancement communications program that includes fundraising, stewardship and alumni engagement, within University Relations and across the colleges and schools. The director is responsible for building the reputation and brand of the university through strategic communications and marketing, using a digital-first approach, targeted to alumni and development audiences and stakeholders.
Alumni Engagement Programming is dedicated to growing and strengthening the lifelong connection between the university and its global network of over 180,000 graduates. This unit coordinates a variety of programming and initiatives, including regional activities, class reunions, alumni benefits, mentorship, and professional development opportunities. Programming ensures alumni have structured avenues to contribute their expertise and remain active participants and supporters in the university’s ongoing mission.
Annual Giving builds a strong foundation of support for USask by inspiring donors to make annual contributions that create immediate impact. Through initiatives like Giving Day, targeted appeals, and digital campaigns, Annual Giving engages alumni and friends in sustaining student success, research, and campus priorities. These gifts often mark the beginning of a donor’s philanthropic journey and help strengthen lifelong connections with the university.
Campaign Management is focused on coordination, planning and implementation of the university’s comprehensive campaign, including volunteer recruitment and management, metrics reporting, and strategy development for fundraising success. This unit works collaboratively across campus and to build a cohesive plan with a high level of visibility and momentum towards achieving the goals of the comprehensive campaign.
College Development works in partnership across campus to raise funds for USask strategic priorities. This unit includes advancement professionals working primarily within the University’s colleges to lead front-line fundraising efforts. Together, this team is engaged in finding ways to help our donors direct their gifts to areas that inspire them.
Corporate and Foundation Relations works collaboratively across the USask campus to building meaningful partnerships with organizations and businesses in our community. Corporate and Foundation Relations works to match the philanthropic interests of key corporate and foundation donors to university needs.
Digital Strategy manages the growth of digital content to effectively and strategically deliver university's digital services to ensure they build and protect USask’s brand and reputation. This includes providing outstanding digital experiences through the delivery of high-quality, strategic content and engagement, leveraging digital platforms to tell the USask story and ensuring we are linking digital activity to USask’s vision and strategy.
The Donations and Trusts unit provides trust advisory services; gift processing and issuing charitable tax receipts to our donors on behalf of the University of Saskatchewan. We recommend acceptance of gifts for Board of Governors’ approval and ensure compliance with CRA guidelines and align with University financial policy.
Donor Relations ensures that USask supporters, regardless of amount or designation of their gift, feel valued, engaged and informed. It is focused on placing the donor at the centre of our plans to ensure an equitable, personalized and authentic experience for all donors to the university. Donor relations encompasses the university’s stewardship, acknowledgment, recognition and engagement program.
Legacy Giving is dedicated to advancing philanthropic opportunities that create lasting impact for future generations. Through thoughtful engagement with legacy donors, advisors, and collaboration with campus partners, the team works to confirm future gifts as a stable source of support and strengthen long-term relationships built on shared values. Legacy Giving plays a key role in raising awareness of planned giving options, aligning donor intentions with the university’s vision, and celebrating those who have made this deeply personal commitment.
Media Production offers complete video and audio production and post-production services and facilities for teaching, learning, research and administration. Services include project development, live video streaming with multi-camera setups, event and press conference support, graphics and animation, e-book production and podcasting. Additionally, we provide consultation and training in best practices for video and audio production.
Production spaces include the UCreate DIY studio which can be accessed by faculty, researchers and staff.
The Principal Gifts team is dedicated to raising transformational philanthropic support to advance the University of Saskatchewan’s strategic priorities. Through thoughtful relationship building with principal gifts donors and close collaboration with campus partners and university leadership, the team helps bring the university’s ambitions to life.
The Principal Gifts team plays a key role in developing and managing principal gift strategies across academic and administrative units, aligning donor interests with the university’s vision. The team also provides strategic support for major fundraising initiatives across campus, ensuring principal gift opportunities are thoughtfully integrated and effectively advanced.
The Research & Pipeline Services team is a unit within Operations and Services at University Relations. The team operates under an integrated model providing services to Development, Alumni & Strategic Engagement and Strategic Communications. We identify Prospect & Alumni Research, Linkage, Ability, Interest ratings (LAI), Strategic Prospect Identification and Management and Data Analysis to enhance strategic and actionable recommendations.
The Strategic Events portfolio manages the planning and execution of high-level institutional events designed to facilitate meaningful stakeholder engagement. These events are designed to facilitate direct engagement between the university leadership and its key stakeholders, including donors, partners, and community members. Events provide a platform to highlight the tangible outcomes of teaching, research, and philanthropic support and strengthen the university's relationship with its supporters.
Student Marketing and Communications (SMC) provides integrated marketing, communications and events support to TLSE units based on the portfolio's core values and strategic priorities.
In alignment with university plans, and guided by data, Student Marketing and Communications works with TLSE and other units across the university to determine the best ways to support the many and diverse audiences served by the TLSE—in particular, prospective students and their key influencers, and current students and their supporters, including instructors.
The Systems and Records team manages the accuracy, integrity, and governance of data within EngageCRM, the University's alumni and donor database. We support all areas of University Relations - both centrally and within the Colleges - by ensuring that data is reliable, consistent and aligned with institutional standards.
Our Team leads business analysis for new system functionality, enhancements, and evolving operational needs. We also oversee reporting, data extracts, and audience list development, providing University Relations with timely, trustworthy information to drive strategic decision‑making and meaningful engagement.
University Communications leads and oversees the development and implementation of the university’s overarching news, media relations, and internal communications programs, in support of the university’s brand, University Plan and strategic directions. The unit is responsible for building, promoting and protecting the university’s reputation regionally, nationally and internationally through engaging and effective storytelling across a wide range of channels for a broad range of university and stakeholder audiences.
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